Doctor's Orders

Disclaimer: This may be TMI for some of you, as it's about my recent visit with my gynecologist. You have been forewarned.

So after having several people encourage me to talk with my doctor about the whole ttc thing, I finally decided to take the plunge.

I didn't necessarily think I should, because it hasn't been a full year yet, and I am trying to be patient, but I was scheduled for my yearly appointment anyway, so I figured it didn't hurt to ask my doctor some questions.

Boy am I glad I did!

This was my first annual visit with a new doctor, since we moved to MA just over a year ago. When I made the appointment, I was a bit nervous, because they scheduled me with a male gynecologist...and I've always been a bit leery of male gynecologists.

But he was SUPER helpful and very kind about the whole thing.

I was actually really surprised. I never really thought I would feel so comfortable talking with a man about all this stuff, but he really made me feel at ease.

I'm feeling really blessed in having found such a caring doctor.

In my experience in the past, the doctor usually comes in the room, and the first thing he/she says to you is "put your feet in the stirrups." They always seem rushed to finish the exam, rushed to leave, rushed to go on to the next patient. I usually feel like I'm inconveniencing them if I have any questions.

But my new doctor came in, shook my hand, introduced himself, and then just sat down and talked with me for at least ten minutes. He asked about my personal life (not in a creepy way, but in a "are you taking care of yourself, and how are things at home" sort of way), he took the time to very patiently address all of my issues and questions, and he made me feel like a person. It was like he actually cared about me and my health. It was so refreshing.

I was with him for at least twenty minutes before he even began talking about the actual exam.

So, long story short, I told him about our ttc journey and its seeming lack of progress.

First, he made me feel less concerned that I'm defective for passing three OPK tests in a row...he said I probably just caught the LH surge on the way up and down, and not to worry. He also said that based on my exam, it did indeed look like I was ovulating, so I was probably reading the tests correctly. He told me to stop taking the tests (which I had continued to take to see if I was defective...and to see what a negative would look like...and because the package said they expired after 30 days anyway, so I might as well use 'em up), and to just take another one next week so I can see how my negative will look.

(On a side note, he also told me that the OPK company is a big, fat, stinkin' liar for saying that the tests go bad after one month and that as long as I keep them well sealed, I should be able to save them and use them for at least a few months).

He talked with me about basal body temperatures and how to begin tracking them. When I told him I had started but wasn't getting very far because I wasn't sure what to look for and because my cycle is so irregular, he gave me some charts for it and told me that after taking my temperature for a few months, I should copy the charts and fax them to him so he can analyze them and get an idea of how my body is working.

He said from there we can decide what to do next. He also offered to do some hormone tests (the "for beginners" fertility tests and such) but suggested I wait a few more months (since it hasn't been a full year) and also check with my insurance to make sure they would cover the tests...otherwise, it can get pretty costly pretty quickly.

Finally - and this is my favorite part! - he actually listened to and addressed my concerns about the possibility of having another miscarriage in the future (which, from my previous experience, is practically unheard of, unless you've had three or more miscarriages!). He said next time I get pregnant, to call him right away. They'll have me come in for my first appointment earlier than they normally would so they can run some basic hormone tests and such. That way, if my previous miscarriage was due to a hormone imbalance or some other similar problem that can be fixed, they would be able to begin treating me right away to (hopefully!) ensure that my next pregnancy goes smoothly and progresses healthily.

Then he told me that he'd be keeping his fingers crossed for us and hoped to see me soon for a prenatal appointment :)

Me too, Doc. Me too.

I'm feeling very relieved, very peaceful, and very pleased.